5 Solar-Powered Gadgets to Green Your Backyard

Compare quotes from up to four local home service companies, no sign-up required.

Intro

When it comes to making your home more eco-friendly, installing solar panels is the ultimate upgrade. But even if you haven’t yet made the switch to completely renewable energy, there are other ways to harness the sun’s energy in your home. The backyard is a great place to start, especially with the cooler temperatures practically begging you to stay outside until after dark.

Wireless Sound System

No backyard party is complete without music, but plugging in electronics outside can be a hassle. What if someone trips over a cord? What if someone spills a drink near the connection? What happens if it starts raining? There’s also the portability factor. Dragging all the music equipment outside at the beginning of the night is one thing, but at the end of the night when it’s late and you have a party to clean up after, it just isn’t going to happen.

Enter wireless sound systems. They’re sleeker and easier to manage, and they’ve changed how we experience outdoor entertainment. Plus, most solar-powered wireless speakers have additional features including USB charging for portable devices, water resistance, enhanced sound, and a lengthy battery life. A solar-powered speaker is perfect for traveling with you anywhere outdoors—from the beach to the campground to a family day in the park.

Gemmy Solar Bulbs String Lights

Patio Umbrella Lights

When it comes to solar powered devices, lighting appliances are the most obvious of the bunch. They charge all day in the sun, so your patio will stay illuminated late into the night. In addition to traditional pathway lighting, you can also use solar lighting to line deck railings or even your patio furniture. Adding string lights to your patio umbrella can help keep the conversation or party going on long into the night. Solar powered lighting is a great way to add some character to your backyard, and the best part is that it helps you live in a more eco-friendly way at the same time.

Solar Infra Portable Heater

Outdoor Heating and Cooling

Take the indoors outside with either a solar-powered heater or solar-powered fan. Depending on the changing of seasons in your region, being comfortable in the more extreme temperatures can help you utilize your patio longer throughout the year. The great thing about these, especially the heaters, is that most can be used indoors as well.

Irrigatia Automatic Solar Watering System

Automatic Watering System

This solar-powered kit waters your plants every three hours and can even detect weather patterns and change water amount according to the conditions or season. Plus, it connects to your rain harvesting barrel to reuse already-conserved water. It’s about as eco-conscious as a watering system can get!

LXORY Solar Powered Wifi Outdoor Security Camera

Video Surveillance

It’s all fun and games until one of your new gadgets get snatched! Exterior video surveillance is a cautionary step all homeowners can relate to on one level or another. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or simply purchasing an upgrade, the video surveillance you choose should keep your family and home safe and protected. Solar-powered security cameras are a simple and energy-efficient way to monitor the activity surrounding your home.

Technology is ever-changing, and eco-conscious inventors are constantly finding energy efficient solutions for our everyday problems. Be on the lookout for gadgets running on renewable energy, because solar is about to revolutionize the home improvement space.

What kind of solar-powered appliances have you used at home? Share your experiences with us in the comments below!

Katie Kuchta is a gardening guru, outdoor living expert, and self-proclaimed foodie. She can often be found cooking in the kitchen or on the hunt for the best tacos, follow her on Instagram @atxtacoqueen.